D
id you know that sea turtles
are among the oldest crea-
tures on earth—remaining
essentially unchanged for 110 million
years? Though there are five species
of sea turtles in Florida’s waters, the
loggerhead turtle is the most common.
Each summer, as the Gulf of Mexico
warms, something wondrous happens on
our beach. Beginning inMay, sea turtles
come ashore to begin nesting for several
months, with the last of the hatchlings
emerging at the end of October.
Although a female may lay several
nests during one season, they only
nest every two or three years. Each
nest contains approximately 100
pingpong ball-sized eggs that will
hatch after a two-month incubation
period. Female loggerhead turtles
return to the same beach where
they hatched to lay their eggs.
Loggerheads are listed as a threat-
ened species, in danger of extinction,
by the Federal Endangered Species Act.
To protect the future of these ancient
mariners, restrictions have been put
in place and are enforced with severe
penalties for failure to comply.
Because turtles can become
“trapped” by items left behind on
the beach, all beach umbrellas, beach
furniture, toys and objects must be
removed from the beach by sunset and
until the County sea turtle monitoring
staff has checked our beachfront in
the morning.
To assure that our beach is free of
obstacles, our Beach Department
staff will “cable and lock” all furniture
between sunset and 9 a.m. the follow-
ing morning.
Because hatchlings use the moon’s
reflection on the water as the light
that guides them to the Gulf, lights
must be turned off or dimly lit by
sunset to prevent them from becom-
ing disoriented and heading inland.
Nighttime beach activities are
also limited.
Do not disturb sea turtle
tracks, eggs, adults, hatchlings or
nest markers.
Failure to comply with these
restrictions will result in a penalty fine
of $5,000. As a result of this severe
penalty, the Beach Department staff
is required to “cable and lock” all
furniture between sunset and 9 a.m.
the following morning.
To report dead or injured sea turtles
or, if you have accidentally hooked
a sea turtle that is small enough to
rescue, contact: Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission
at 1-888-404-FWCC immediately.
Turtle Season
May 1 – Oct. 31
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